Ishares Trust (The “Trust”)
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iShares® Trust Statement of Additional Information Dated December 1, 2020 This combined Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus. It should be read in conjunction with the current prospectuses (each, a “Prospectus” and collectively, the “Prospectuses”) for the following series of iShares Trust (the “Trust”): Fund Ticker Listing Exchange iShares Core Conservative Allocation ETF AOK NYSE Arca iShares Core Moderate Allocation ETF AOM NYSE Arca iShares Core Growth Allocation ETF AOR NYSE Arca iShares Core Aggressive Allocation ETF AOA NYSE Arca Each Fund invests substantially all of its assets in other iShares funds that, in turn, invest in equities, bonds and/or short-term instruments based on an index (each, an “Underlying Fund” and collectively, the “Underlying Funds”). BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA” or the “Investment Adviser”), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc., serves as investment adviser to the Funds and also serves as investment adviser to each of the Underlying Funds. References to the investments and risks of the Funds, unless otherwise indicated, should be understood as references to the investments and risks of the related Underlying Funds. The Prospectuses for the above-listed funds (each, a “Fund” and together, the “Funds”) are dated December 1, 2020, as amended and supplemented from time to time. Capitalized terms used herein that are not defined have the same meaning as in the applicable Prospectus, unless otherwise noted. The Financial Statements and Notes contained in the applicable Annual Report and Semi-Annual Report of the Trust for the Funds are incorporated by reference into and are deemed to be part of this SAI. A copy of each Fund’s Prospectus, Annual Report and Semi-Annual Report may be obtained without charge by writing to the Trust’s distributor, BlackRock Investments, LLC (the “Distributor” or “BRIL”), 1 University Square Drive, Princeton, NJ 08540, calling 1-800-iShares (1-800-474-2737) or visiting www.iShares.com. Each Fund’s Prospectus is incorporated by reference into this SAI. References to the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act” or the “1940 Act”), or other applicable law, will include any rules promulgated thereunder and any guidance, interpretations or modifications by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), SEC staff or other authority with appropriate jurisdiction, including court interpretations, and exemptive, no action or other relief or permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority. iShares® and BlackRock® are registered trademarks of BFA and its affiliates. iShares® iShares, Inc. iShares Trust Supplement dated September 22, 2021 (the “Supplement”) to the Prospectus (the “Prospectus”), Summary Prospectus (the “Summary Prospectus”) and Statement of Additional Information (the “SAI”) for each of the funds listed in each Appendix (each, a “Fund”) The information in this Supplement updates information in, and should be read in conjunction with, each Fund’s Summary Prospectus and/or Prospectus, as applicable, and SAI. Change in “Summary of Principal Risks” for each Fund listed in Appendix A and Appendix C In the “Summary of Principal Risks” section of the Prospectus and Summary Prospectus of each Fund listed in Appendix A, the section entitled “Risk of Investing in China” is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following, and the following is hereby added to the “Summary of Principal Risks” section of the Prospectus and Summary Prospectus of each Fund listed in Appendix C: Risk of Investing in China. Investments in Chinese securities, including certain Hong Kong-listed and U.S.-listed securities, subject the Fund to risks specific to China. China may be subject to considerable degrees of economic, political and social instability. China is an emerging market and demonstrates significantly higher volatility from time to time in comparison to developed markets. Over the last few decades, the Chinese government has undertaken reform of economic and market practices and has expanded the sphere of private ownership of property in China. However, Chinese markets generally continue to experience inefficiency, volatility and pricing anomalies resulting from governmental influence, a lack of publicly available information and/or political and social instability. Chinese companies are also subject to the risk that Chinese authorities can intervene in their operations and structure. Internal social unrest or confrontations with neighboring countries, including military conflicts in response to such events, may also disrupt economic development in China and result in a greater risk of currency fluctuations, currency non-convertibility, interest rate fluctuations and higher rates of inflation. China has experienced security concerns, such as terrorism and strained international relations. Additionally, China is alleged to have participated in state-sponsored cyberattacks against foreign companies and foreign governments. Actual and threatened responses to such activity and strained international relations, including purchasing restrictions, sanctions, tariffs or cyberattacks on the Chinese government or Chinese companies, may impact China’s economy and Chinese issuers of securities in which the Fund invests. Incidents involving China’s or the region’s security may cause uncertainty in Chinese markets and may adversely affect the Chinese economy and the Fund’s investments. Export growth continues to be a major driver of China’s rapid economic growth. Reduction in spending on Chinese products and services, institution of additional tariffs or other trade barriers (including as a result of heightened trade tensions or a trade war between China and the U.S. or in response to actual or alleged Chinese cyber activity) or a downturn in any of the economies of China’s key trading partners may have an adverse impact on the Chinese economy. Chinese companies, including Chinese companies that are listed on U.S. exchanges, are not subject to the same degree of regulatory requirements, accounting standards or auditor oversight as companies in more developed countries. As a result, information about the Chinese securities in which the Fund invests may be less reliable or complete. Chinese companies with securities listed on U.S. exchanges may be delisted if they do not meet U.S. accounting standards and auditor oversight requirements, which would significantly decrease the liquidity and value of the securities. There may be significant obstacles to obtaining information necessary for investigations into or litigation against Chinese companies, and shareholders may have limited legal remedies. The Fund is not actively managed and does not select investments based on investor protection considerations. Change in “A Further Discussion of Principal Risks” for each Fund listed in Appendix A and Appendix C and Change in “A Further Discussion of Other Risks” for each Fund listed in Appendix B In the “A Further Discussion of Principal Risks” section of the Prospectus of each Fund listed in Appendix A and the “A Further Discussion of Other Risks” section of the Prospectus of each Fund listed in Appendix B, the section entitled “Risk of Investing in China” is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following, and the following is hereby added to the “A Further Discussion of Principal Risks” section of the Prospectus of each Fund listed in Appendix C: Risk of Investing in China. Investments in Chinese securities, including certain Hong Kong-listed and U.S.-listed securities, subject the Fund to risks specific to China. The Chinese economy is subject to a considerable degree of economic, political and social instability. Political and Social Risk. The Chinese government is authoritarian and has periodically used force to suppress civil dissent. Disparities of wealth and the pace of economic liberalization may lead to social turmoil, violence and labor unrest. In addition, China continues to experience disagreements related to integration with Hong Kong and religious and nationalist disputes in Tibet and Xinjiang. There is also a greater risk in China than in many other countries of currency fluctuations, currency non-convertibility, interest rate fluctuations and higher rates of inflation as a result of internal social unrest or conflicts with other countries. Unanticipated political or social developments may result in sudden and significant investment losses. China’s growing income inequality, rapidly aging population and significant environmental issues also are factors that may affect the Chinese economy. Government Control and Regulations. The Chinese government has implemented significant economic reforms in order to liberalize trade policy, promote foreign investment in the economy, reduce government control of the economy and develop market mechanisms. There can be no assurance that these reforms will continue or that they will be effective. Despite recent reform and privatizations, government control over certain sectors or enterprises and significant regulation of investment and industry is still pervasive, including restrictions on investment in companies or industries deemed to be sensitive to particular national interests, trading of securities of Chinese issuers, foreign ownership of Chinese corporations and/or the repatriation of assets by foreign investors. Limitations or restrictions on foreign ownership of securities may have adverse effects on the liquidity and performance of